The Chaplain’s Corner serves as a place of reflection, encouragement, and spiritual support for our members and the community we proudly serve. This dedicated space is maintained by the department’s chaplain and offers thoughtful messages, inspirational words, and guidance that speak to the emotional and spiritual well-being of first responders and their families.
The fire service is not just about responding to emergencies—it’s about standing together through life’s challenges, celebrating victories, and leaning on one another in difficult times. The Chaplain’s Corner reminds us that behind every call, every uniform, and every act of service, there are human hearts that need care and strength. Whether you’re a firefighter, family member, or community supporter, we invite you to utilize the Chaplain’s Corner for moments of peace, hope, and connection.
From your chaplain
Looking forward to a New Year 2026
The New Year is like a reset button, offering a fresh start to kick start your hopes and dreams in the book of life. May this year be your favorite chapter yet, filled with unexpected plot twists and memorable moments. As a wise person once said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” May the year ahead be filled with hope, health, and happiness and good times. Each year is a gift that holds hope for new adventure and is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and follow your dreams.
May your New Year be filled with the simple joys of life and the warmth of family and friends. Resolve to make each day the beginning of a new year, a new morning, a new adventure. Enjoy the blessings of a new year, in Christ, one day at a time. May God shower you and your family with love and happiness. Every day I feel is a blessing from God and a new beginning.
Prayer — Heavenly Father, as we enter into this New Year, we pause to reflect on the blessings and lessons of the past year. We thank you for the joy, the challenges, and the growth we experienced. Help us to carry forward the spirit of gratitude, always mindful of the goodness that surrounds us. Grant us the wisdom to appreciate the simple things in life and the strength to face adversity with grace. May our hearts be filled with thankfulness every day of the year. Amen
Blessings Barry
From your chaplain
Message for December and Christmas message
Preparing for a New Season
For some of us this past year to date has not been easy. Sometimes, it’s hard to understand why things happen in our lives. But we need to remember we live in a world that is not perfect and where ever he can satan will try to disrupt our lives. That is why our Lord and Savior Jesus was born and died on the cross, so that we could be set free from the grips of satan. Now is the time for salvation. Put your trust in God and He will carry you through any crisis or circumstances you might be going through.
With thanksgiving over we look forward to December. May December fill your heart with peace and joy.
December is a month of reflection, celebration, and warmth, filled with opportunities to embrace the spirit of the season and set intentions for the New Year. December is a special month to pause, reflect, and celebrate both big and small moments. But most of all it is a month of the birth of our Lord and Savior. Rejoicing in the miracle of Christ’s birth, may your home be filled with love, your heart with faith, and your life with God’s endless blessings.
This is the season for giving, charity, respect for all God’s creations, and bringing peace to our Earth. And of course for spending time with precious family, friends and loved ones.
With that being said, Ann and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas to remember and a New Year filled with God’s blessings.
Blessings, Barry
From your chaplain: Thanksgiving Blessings
Wishing all you a blessed Thanksgiving filled with faith, family, and the gentle reminder that God’s grace is the greatest gift of all. May your heart overflow with gratitude as you count every blessing God has poured into your life this year. May your table be full, your heart peaceful, and your spirit lifted by the endless love of our Savior.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for God’s plan, His patience, and the purpose He’s still unfolding in all of us. “Grateful hearts are the truest form of worship. Give thanks not just today, but every moment you feel His grace.”
As we enjoy the day let’s not forget those that are in need. Most of us are truly blessed in so many ways.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! “May God’s light shine on your home this Thanksgiving and fill your heart with gratitude.”
Blessings to all Barry & Ann
From your chaplain for Veterans Day:
Veterans Day: Honoring Our Heroes:
This is the day we honor the brave men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have defended our freedoms and protected the values we hold dear.
We remember not just the battles fought, but the courage, resilience, and dedication of our veterans. They stood strong in the face of adversity, often far from home, to ensure that future generations could live in peace and prosperity. Their service reminds us of the true cost of freedom and the responsibility we all share in preserving it.
As we honor our veterans today, let us commit to walking forward with gratitude and purpose. Let us strive to build a nation worthy of their sacrifices—a nation that values unity, justice, and freedom for all.
May their service inspires us, and their legacy never be forgotten. May we always honor you, not just with words, but with actions that reflect the freedoms you fought to protect.
Blessings, Barry
From your chaplain for November 2025:
November is a month of gratitude, reflection, and transition, offering a chance to embrace change and appreciate the beauty around us.
Embracing Gratitude
November is often associated with Thanksgiving, making it a perfect time to reflect on what we are thankful for. “Don’t wait until the fourth Thursday in November to give thanks Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!” This sentiment encourages us to cultivate gratitude daily, appreciating both the big and small moments in life.
As autumn transitions into winter, November serves as a reminder of the beauty in change. “Every leaf that falls is a reminder to let go and move forward.” This quote encapsulates the essence of November, urging us to embrace the changes in our lives and find beauty in the process.
November is the month that reminds us to be thankful. “Let this be the November you always remember.”
Preparing for the Future
November is also a time to prepare for the upcoming winter, Christmas and the New-year., and set intentions for what lies ahead.
As you navigate through November, take time to reflect, express gratitude, and give thanks for what Christ has given you. Embrace the changes around you. Let the beauty of this month inspire you to grow and appreciate the journey ahead and be joyful through it all.
Blessings Barry
Here’s a thoughtful Christian reflection for October 2025 to inspire your day:
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.” – Psalm 28:7
As the autumn leaves fall and the air turns crisp, let this verse remind you of God’s unwavering presence in your life. Just as the seasons change, so do the circumstances we face. Yet, through it all, God remains our constant source of strength and protection. Trust in Him wholeheartedly, and He will guide you through every challenge with grace and love.
Take a moment today to reflect on the blessings around you—big or small—and offer a prayer of gratitude for God’s faithfulness. Let His peace fill your heart as you walk through this beautiful season.
May this thought bring you comfort and encouragement today!
Reflection message
As Christians we want to hear from God but when we are preoccupied with family needs, work demands, and even church activities, it can be challenging to approach the Lord with a settled mind. The Parable of the Sower addresses this common experience, presenting the distracted person as the seed witch fell among the thorns. Read Luke 8:5-8 and 5 -14.
Example: A person may sit in a meeting, church or other activity and your mind churns with questions: Did I turn the stove off? What am I going to do tomorrow? What can I do to make more sales this week? Will I get a raise this month? The cluttered mind is full of yesterday, today and tomorrow, full of things, people, money, business, and school and so many other distractions. Tremendous thorn bushes of worldly worries suffocate the Word of God. It becomes difficult for God to speak to our hearts when our minds are so cluttered with other things.
Praising God though thanksgiving and thought acknowledging His character and attributes is one of the best ways I know to brake the bonds of a wandering mind. Talk with God, using your own words or the following prayer.
Father, I want my focus to be on the things above. As I go through each day, help me to see the countless reasons for giving You praise. And teach me how to unclutter my thoughts—I look forward to clearly hearing all that You want to say to me. In Jesus name, amen.
Blessings, Chaplain Barry
Thought for September 2025
Hard to believe that the summer is winding down. As we enter into a new month we will soon see the leaves starting to show there colors, flowers fading, days getting colder and shorter and flocks of birds heading south. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Just like the seasons bring changes our lives also change. As I get older I have learned to take one day at a time and to be thankful for what that day brings, but sometimes that’s hard to do. With that being said I titled this month’s message. “Trust in Gods plain for your life”.
Trust in God’s plan for your life; He has a purpose for every struggle and every blessing. Even when the road is tough, remember that God’s love is your strength and refuge. Let your faith guide you through life’s challenges, knowing that God is always by your side. The power of prayer can transform your life; never underestimate the peace it brings. God’s grace is greater than any difficulty you face—lean into His strength and trust His timing.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Your faith in God can move mountains—stay strong and know that He is always with you. Keep your eyes on God’s promises, for His plans for you are filled with hope and peace.
When you feel lost, remember that God’s love will never fail you; He will guide you always. Even in your darkest moments, God’s light shines brighter, bringing clarity and peace.
Faith doesn’t mean that we will never struggle, but it means we trust that God will carry us through. God’s timing is perfect; trust that He knows what’s best for you. When life seems uncertain, trust that God’s plan for your life is unfolding exactly as it should. Keep your heart open to God’s wisdom and He will lead you on the right path. No matter how hard things get, know that God’s love is unwavering and His presence is constant.
The strength to overcome any obstacle lies in your faith in God’s ability to provide. God never leaves your side; when you walk in faith, you walk in His favor. Your purpose in life is written by God; trust Him to guide you every step of the way. Never forget that God’s love for you is immeasurable, and it’s through His love that you find strength.
Let your faith be bigger than your fear—God is with you, always.
Blessing, Barry
Make a copy of this message and refer to it when you need encouragement.
Thought For August 2025:
Here we are well into another summer month. When we wake up each day ,we most likely have our day planned out but sometimes things just don’t go the way we expected them to. This month I put together a short message that might help you get through those trying days.
Because the goodness of God is perfect, He alone can accurately determine what is best for each person. His kindness is exposed in more ways than simply the provision of wealth, health, and relationships. Some divine gifts are experiences we would never choose, but the Lord knows we need them in order to grow in faith, obedience, and perseverance.
Consider these expressions of God’s goodness toward us.
Loving discipline: Since God’s love is unfailing, no discipline seams pleasant at the time, but painful. He corrects us when we need it. It produces a harvest of righteousness and peace. The process is painful at times, but the result is peace. (See Hebrews.12:7-11)
Wise Limitations: With His perfect insight, the Lord lovingly withholds things that would be detrimental to us spiritually.
Useful suffering: God knows which refining experiences we need in order to become fruitful in His kingdom. What appears to us as a valley of hardship is His peace of preparation for godliness and service.
It can be tempting to interpret God’s character on the basis of our circumstances. But when evidence compels us to doubt His goodness, it’s important to remember this: His gifts may come in a variety of shapes and sizes but are always beneficial. As Psalm 34:8 says, ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good”.
Blessings, Barry
Thought For July 2025:
Advancing Through Our Adversity
ROMANS 8:18, 26-28
What would happen if we approached a fork in the road and found two signs, one reading “Road of Comfort” and the other, “Road of Adversity”? We would veer onto the Road of Comfort with a sigh of relief, wouldn’t we? None of us wants to experience even one single unnecessary moment of pain, disappointment, or loss. Yet God’s Word tells us affliction is inevitable. (John 16:33) The good news, however, is that for the believer, there is always purpose in it. (Romans 8:28)
Purpose #1—Adversity reveals our view of God. If we feel like victims in the trial, then our belief in His sovereignty is not solid. If we become fixed on our negative circumstances, then our faith in His good purposes is shown to be shaky. The more clearly we understand who God is, the deeper and stronger our faith will be. Strong faith will keep us steady.
Purpose #2—Adversity teaches us the truth about ourselves. Many of these truths could not be learned any other way. For example, through financial loss, we learn the true priority of material things in our life—we may find our identity has been wrapped up in our job or bank account. If our suffering is due to someone’s words or actions, we discover how willing we are to forgive. We also learn about our capacity to endure in the face of great difficulty.
Scripture exhorts us to use our adverse experiences wisely so we will progress in spiritual maturity. As we become like Jesus in both our view of God and our character, we will please our Father greatly.
Thought For June 2025:
From your chaplain,
Here we are well into June and summer is under way. Summer is a great time but not for all of us. If you know of someone in need or just felling down pass this message on to them .
God sees the good you are doing.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
— Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
It can be so easy to fall into the trap of feeling not good enough. Whether it be a kindness gone unnoticed, a tired ache after a long day, feeling like you’re never measuring up, or that God doesn’t care—it happens to all of us. But often this is because we’re too focused on ourselves to see that God is blessing us in so many ways, and often in different ways than we expect.
We should always try to do good; not because we want it returned to us, but out of the kindness of our hearts. We should allow God’s love to fill us and shine through us. We shouldn’t be hoping for a reward. But we should also know that God does see the positive
Blessings, Barry
Thought For 4/26/2025:
Is there anything that prevents you from feeling confident that God loves you? Here’s the key to accepting the truth of unconditional Divine love: Focus on God rather than circumstances. When you’re learning of Him, talking with Him, and sharing your life with Him, trust and faith naturally replaces doubt and fear.
Blessings, Bar